Fresh independent review Carlo Kopp, one of the founders of the analytical group Air Power Australia, presents a number of interesting abstracts on the prospects and potential of developing the Russian fighter of the fifth generation PAK FA (West is better known in the factory index their prototypes - T-50).

Top-down: PAK FA, F-22, J-20. The engines of the Russian prototype posted stronger than analogues, which enables the implementation of three-dimensional nozzle. (Photo Courtesy Of Wikimedia Commons.)

Recall that the first of four prototype fighter took off in January 2010, and its serial production is officially scheduled for 2015-2016 (although the reality of these terms obvious causes doubt).

After the first images PAK FA led to a discussion on the extent to which the machine will be subtle. The form of the novelties was so far from the least noticeable fighter modernity F-22 Raptor, which arose a question about the expediency of further development. However, Mr. Kopp and his open study of the effective area of dispersion (EPR) develop fighter, starting with the next statement such backlog, I assure in the opposite direction - in a potential military value PAK FA. "Form T-50 inferior to the F-22 Raptor... and even [Chinese perspective] J-20, although to a lesser extent... But the F-35 and the T-50 show very similar parameters of the EPR, as this is a key parameter of small Radioamatore".

However, the analyst notes, to achieve parity (until potential), designers PAK FA will change the shape of the nozzles and effective use of radio-absorbing layer. While there is no specific data types such a layer (or layers - probably two)that you want to use in "Sukhoi design Bureau". Nevertheless forms PAK FA something even superior to the F-35, allowing to speak about the very low radioamatori front of the plane. Yes, bottom, and back, things are worse, but, strictly speaking, high-speed parameters PAK FA make difficult the use by the enemy of these deficiencies in the air fight. As correctly noted, the Australian, the shape of the fuselage PAK FA was developed specifically for the plane were the most difficult to detect compact radar of the F-22 and F-35. But the radar of the American AWACS aircraft E-2 and a Chinese jet fighter J-20-oriented subtle American fighters, the problems will be less.

The probability of realization of such modifications is quite high: usually after the release of the first prototype of the subsequent versions undergo significant alterations; so it was with the YF-23, and the F-22.

However, the PAK FA, in addition to the "good" EPR first prototype and potentially a "very, very good" EPR following, which, as underlined by Mr. Kopp, can be reduced, there are other advantages. He not only higher speed and tagavoranist, but more angles thrust vector deflection caused movable nozzle. Let's remind: on the F-22 nozzle not as agile - the choice is dictated including the desire to minimize radioamatori. If we believe the statements of the us side, the supersonic F-22 cannot launch a rocket, making its use for fight with supersonic subtle enemy truly trivial.

Unusually large inner tank PAK FA, containing more than 11 tons of fuel will provide the range that exceeds the indicators of the F-22 (8,2 t) and F-35. Even without external fuel tanks Russian aircraft, according to the constructors, has a range of 4 300 km and 2 000 km (!) on nonafterburning "supersonic", while the F-22 according to the most optimistic estimates) it is equal to 1 300 km Well, the F-35 not long to fly at supersonic speeds without afterburner, that is, outside the combat of contact is subsonic machine. Undocumented features like fly on the M1,2 200-240 km, but the commanders prohibits pilots such experiments.

Will this report concerned the Russian fighters Australians (important buyers of the latest American fighters) signal to the military-industrial complex of the USA or China? In the short term, apparently not. Direct collision of these forces with the Russian air force is unlikely. Of course, with the current principles of financing the purchase of new equipment immediately after delivery PAK FA troops in the car will be exported to India, however, the war between it and the PRC after the appearance of the first nuclear weapons present difficult. But what the American fighter was not designed to combat Russian, says even their "no" range...

Perhaps the most important aspect of this assessment is to Russians. And if the engineers themselves, unlike the Russian media, it is not necessary to convince the deep studying of airframe PAK FA, tips for reducing radioamatori of nozzles and bottom of the fuselage, no doubt, deserve to listen to them.

Prepared according to Wired.